Be with the best in Asia, follow licensing criteria: Alberto

JOVITO LOPES

sports@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: Clubs in India, which obviously include the four Goan I-League teams, will have to adhere to Club Licensing Criteria in the near future so as to play in AFC Champions  Cup as well as AFC Cup, if they qualify for the same, remarked GFA general secretary, Alberto Colaco.

With the AIFF agreeing to make the Club Licensing Criteria mandatory for all I-League clubs from 2012-13, having even appointed a special club licensing manager in Roma Khanna, with the requisite background from FIFA, Alberto told Herald that it was the need of the times, should the clubs want to rub shoulders with the Asia’s top clubs and eventually come up to the world level.

“Actually, the process began in 2008 when I was the AIFF general secretary. No doubt, we have lost some time for several reasons, including the lack of infrastructure, which is a State subject. Finally, the time has come and there is no escape since the AFC has made it amply clear that no clubs will be allowed in their official competitions in the future without  fulfilling the licensing criteria,” pointed out Alberto.

Tracing the history, Alberto explained that it was first introduced by some European Leagues through UEFA, followed by FIFA later on. The AFC introduced it three years ago a la FIFA and even a special ad-hoc committee was set up with the then AFC president Bin Hamam as its chairman and AIFF president Praful Patel as vice-chairman. The other members were Manilal Fernando (Sri Lanka), four clubs representatives including Joaquim Alemao (Goa) and the AIFF secretary.

“A review of work done is expected to take place in April to assess its progress as well to chart out the future course of action. It forms part of professionalism. And, its seriousness can be gauged from the fact that all I-league clubs have already been asked to comply with the five different sectors according to which the clubs will eventually be graded,” explained Alberto.

“Most of the Goan clubs have already incorporated the outlines of the criteria in their functioning with only infrastructure, as of now, being shared by four big teams at Nehru stadium, Fatorda, which itself has to undergo several renovations to meet the specific criteria,” voiced Alberto.

“We are at the initial stage. Only Japan is among the nine countries in Asia which has met with full criteria, but yet they have been assigned seven out of total 10 marks. Others are way behind, but eventually they will upgrade,” said Alberto.

When asked how easy or difficult would it be for Goan clubs to qualify for the grading system, Alberto opined that it was neither easy nor difficult, but that it was possible provided the clubs had strong legal and financial resources and adequate manpower to monitor the requirements.

“A beginning has been made and that’s excellent for a start. Barring the infrastructure, criteria on sporting, personnel and administration, legal, financial is already being met by the clubs who have already appointed full time personnel. There are clubs in Germany and Italy (Inter and AC Milan) who share one stadium and a similar situation can be envisaged by the clubs in Goa,” commented the GFA official.

“If  we want to be with the best in Asia, then we have to follow the criteria. Certainly, we can’t, in one shot, aim to be in the top category. We can do it but in a gradual manner, there being a need for a year-by-year plan. So, planning is vital. We need to keep achievable targets before us, have a road map in the first place. It shouldn’t take more than four to five years,” reasoned out Alberto.

“We had decided in 2007 that the targets would have to be met by 2009, but if it became impossible it was because of our attitude to seek compromises with the result the date kept on extending. Fortunately, the time is now ripe as the clubs have done remarkable improvements on the path to professionalism,” contended the first and only Goan to have occupied the top AIFF executive post for little over a decade.

“Either you qualify or don’t qualify. And, if you don’t, it is not the end of the road. One can always rectify the drawbacks in the future and apply for the licence, which in any case has to be renewed every year. For instance, Korean and Australian clubs are making all-out efforts every year to improve on their criteria ratings,” summed up Alberto.

One needs to learn from yesterday but look at life through the windshield and not the rear-view mirror. But, the important thing is not to stop questioning.